A Meaningful Exhibition by IGU SATMER: “In the Paw Prints” Meets Art Enthusiasts

The photography exhibition themed “In the Paw Prints,” organized as part of Istanbul Gelisim University's Research Center for Art and Design (SATMER) arts events, opened its doors with content that brings art and social awareness together. The exhibition, comprising 45 works by Asst. Prof. Ali Kemal Çipe of the Faculty of Fine Arts, met with art enthusiasts at Istanbul Gelisim Art Gallery. The exhibition opening was attended by Faculty of Fine Arts Dean Prof. Şükran Güzin Ilıcak Aydınalp, Research Center for Art and Design Director Asst. Prof. Mustafa Günay, and numerous faculty members and students. The opening, which drew considerable interest, demonstrated the sustainability of art production and cultural activities within the university.

“An Ethical Call Beyond Aesthetic Production”

Exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Nuri Sezer emphasized in his opening remarks that the exhibition is not merely an aesthetic production but also constitutes an ethical call. Noting that raising awareness about animal welfare and animal rights is among the important responsibilities of contemporary art, Sezer stated that Ali Kemal Çipe has steadfastly maintained this sensitivity throughout his long-standing photography practice.

“Every Frame Is a Life Story”

Asst. Prof. Ali Kemal Çipe stated in his remarks that his love of animals is an inseparable part of his life and that this internal commitment is directly reflected in his photographic work. Noting that the 45 photographs featured in the “In the Paw Prints” exhibition are the product of a sustained process of observation, patience, and technical precision, Çipe expressed that in each frame he aims to capture not merely an animal portrait but a life story, a gaze, and a moment of contact.

Can Be Visited Through March 13, 2026

The photographs in the exhibition offer a broad narrative spectrum, ranging from the daily lives of street animals to shelter environments, from emotional moments of human-animal interaction to the silent dialogue established through direct eye contact. The works, which stand out through their use of light, framing choices, and emphasis on detail, invite the viewer not only to an aesthetic experience but also to a moral reckoning.
The “In the Paw Prints” photography exhibition can be visited at Istanbul Gelisim Art Gallery through March 13, 2026. The exhibition awaits all art enthusiasts interested in the art of photography as well as those who wish to develop awareness about animal rights.